Sue Kelly

Sue Weisenbarger Kelly (née Madelyn Sue Weisenbarger; born September 26, 1936)^[1] is an American businesswoman and politician who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2007, representing New York's 19th District. She was elected to the seat that had been held by Republican Hamilton Fish IV after he dropped out of the 1994 race due to prostate cancer. Kelly defeated his son, Hamilton Fish V, in that race and served until John Hall defeated her in the 2006 congressional election.

Preceded byHamilton Fish

Succeeded byJohn Hall

BornMadelyn Sue Weisenbarger
September 26, 1936 (age 89)

Lima, Ohio, U.S.

PartyRepublican

Quick facts Preceded by, Succeeded by ...

Sue Kelly


Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 19th district
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Hamilton Fish
Succeeded by	John Hall

Personal details
Born	Madelyn Sue Weisenbarger (1936-09-26) September 26, 1936 (age 89) Lima, Ohio, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Ed Kelly
Education	Denison University (BA) Sarah Lawrence College (MA)

Close

Kelly served from February 1999 to April 2001 as Chair of the House Page Board, which came under fire during the Mark Foley scandal.

Early life and career

Sue Kelly was born in Lima, Ohio, on September 26, 1936. She was raised Presbyterian and graduated from Denison University in 1958.^[2] She also holds a Master's degree from Sarah Lawrence College.

She held jobs as a small business owner, patient advocate, rape counselor, and educator. She first became involved in politics by working as an advisor and campaign manager for Hamilton Fish IV, who represented Kelly's home area in New York's Hudson Valley.^[3]

U.S. House of Representatives

1994 election

When U.S. Rep. Hamilton Fish IV, a Republican, decided not to seek re-election in 1994, Kelly ran for Congress. She defeated Fish's son, Hamilton Fish V, who ran as a Democrat, as well as Conservative Party and Right to Life Party candidate Joseph DioGuardi and independent Catherine Portman-Laux.^[4]

2004 election

In 2004, Kelly easily won re-election with 67% of the vote in New York's 19th Congressional district although The New York Times described Kelly's opponents in previous races as "token opposition".^[5]

2006 election

In 2006, Kelly was defeated by Democratic opponent John Hall.^[6]

Initially, Hall's candidacy was considered a "long-shot," but he gained momentum after Kelly faced criticism in October 2006 for her connection to the Mark Foley scandal. Kelly refused to speak to a reporter from a local news network about the matter and also did not appear at a televised debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters.^[7] Kelly was represented by an empty chair at the debate.^[8]

Kelly was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, an environmental advocacy group.^[9] Her score of 92% was the highest among any Republican Member of Congress in 2006. Kelly had earned a 17% score from the LCV in 2005, but attributed that score to the many missed votes that came in the several days she was absent due to a death in the family.^[10]

Kelly stated she was an "independent voice" in Congress, but the Times Herald Record noted that in 25 of the closest House votes during her last session, Kelly sided with the Republican leadership 24 times.^[11]

Political positions

Kelly compiled a socially moderate and fiscally conservative voting record in Congress. A 2006 survey of congressional power and effectiveness by the nonpartisan company, Knowlegis, indicated that Rep. Kelly was among the 100 most powerful lawmakers in the 435-member House. The survey also labelled Kelly as the second most powerful congressperson in the New York delegation, second only to Thomas M. Reynolds, who was chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.^[12]

Personal life

Kelly is married to Edward Kelly, and they live in Katonah, New York. As of 2020, they had four children and eight grandchildren.^[13]